Losing to the Patriots over the last few years is common. As Bill Belichick said this week, there were questions about Phil Simms, who had a 28:33 touchdown-to-interception ratio during his first two years in New York. Absolutely. Did more and more and felt better and better.
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“Our thoughts and the way we’re going about this is it’s a big, big game because it’s the next game”.
The defending Super Bowl champions are 4-0 heading into Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. Pagano understands the challenge.
“I think we’re all hopeful to see the Andrew we all know and love, but time will tell”, coach Chuck Pagano said. “He gets better and better every single day that he’s here, so it’s day to day”. “We’re anxious about us”. “They’re all pros. They’ve got pro coaches, and they’ve got good schemes”. I am not sold on Luck this week but he should have a productive game. “Got good runners. Got guys blocking that are good players for them”. “Playing at a high, high level”. You see the score differential. If J.J. Watt and the defense could have made one more play, then perhaps the outcome might have been different. Even the difference between the close-game records of 2011 and 2013-15 is enough to get a team to the playoffs.
His goal, however, is for his team to improve this week.
“It’s going to be very hard”, special teams captain Matthew Slater said Thursday. But he should be good to go to play against the Patriots. “Everything? The focus is on us”.
While a victory would go a long way toward staying atop the AFC South and silencing their critics, I do not think the Colts have the pieces in place yet to stop Brady and Co. this time around. “We’re getting ready to play a game on Sunday”.
“Throwing better, moving faster, doing everything better and with less restriction”.
SERIES HISTORY: 75th regular season meeting.
In Luck’s three starts, the Colts were averaging 251 yards per game through the air and led the league in turnovers thanks to Luck’s seven interceptions. New England and the Colts were in the AFC East together from 1970 to 2001. There were 14 splits in the series.
The Colts star quarterback injured his shoulder in Week 3 when Indianapolis rallied from behind to win against the Tennessee Titans, 35-33.
There’s going to be a lot of hype around the quarterback matchup this week. The only thing that may be working against the -8.5 favorite Patriots is having last week off due to a bye week, but don’t expect New England’s offense to look rusty against Indianapolis. Also ball control and controlling the tempo of the game on offense is crucial. It won’t be easy.
Butler wants his revenge, but only because of how badly the Patriots beat the Colts last year (and the year before, and in 2012). Luck’s favorite target, T.Y. Hilton has been borderline invisible against the Patriots, too.
Luck’s stat line in four games vs. the Patriots: 82-163, 1,094, 6 TD, 10 INT, 58.7 passer rating.
The 2014 AFC Finalist Colts head into this weeks game at 3-2, and the Patriots are 4-0. He also has fumbled once.
“(Solder’s) a great player and a great guy”, Gronkowski said.
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Had Tom Brady served out his four-game suspension, his first game back would’ve been October.
